After the fact, when you haven't actually utilized your weaponry in the heat of the battle as you always tend to fantasize you will, it is easy to understand why somebody will say they felt they did not have a clear shot. My bet is that the guy reacted just like most people will in the chaos of the moment. You will take cover and you aren't thinking about being able to remove your firearm and fire controlled, well-aimed shots against the violent sociopath. The fact is, that somebody being there carrying concealed, in fact bolsters my argument. I do not believe the average person carrying a gun is anywhere near the hero they envision themselves to be and in fact will not react heroically during the 45 - 60 seconds that they may have to actually make such an act.
I have no problem with folks disagreeing with me, so don't feel bad about that, and yes I do have military experience. I've been in combat. I know that it is not easy, even when you are riding around in an armored truck with several other armored trucks armed to the teeth with automatic firepower, the ability to call in indirect fire and close air support, and tons of training. It just isn't as easy as the PRO-gun crowd wants to believe it is. If you are back here in the homeland, you generally are at ease. There are several reasons for this, and it isn't a dis on anybody. The truth is that we are all pretty unawares when these types of events happen because of the fact that it is so statistically improbable that we will experience it, no matter what we try to tell ourselves, we don't actually truly believe it will ever happen because it hasn't ever happened to us. The other reason is because even if it does happen, you aren't trained to handle it. Sure, some may have had combat training, police training, or whatever, but how many of you have been through "React to Active Shooter" training? Okay, so how many reactors are in the standard shape response force? Hmmm? Oh, you don't know? That's because you haven't been through the training. Who is the pace setter in the diamond formation? Again, you have no clue? What is the contingency if the point man gets shot, who rotates into that role? On that note, how do you put together a reactor team from a group of unsuspecting armed bystanders? It's a challenge, it can be done, but it is more likely not feasible in the amount of time you have.
My point is that having a gun, is NOT an advantage in most of these situations. In most of these situations, folks who think of themselves as very responsible, capable people are actually undertrained, and underequipped to handle the situation. In addition to that, most will be completely unprepared to cope with the psychological baggage that comes with killing somebody, even if it is in self defense. It is a painful, turbulent, difficult time in your life dealing with things after taking another human life, don't hope to experience it for yourself.
Look guys, I don't think I am going to change any of your minds. I am not trying to insinuate that you should not own weapons. It is your right. I vow to uphold and support the constitution of the United States, keep your guns. What I am saying is not to delude yourselves into thinking that you are doing a public or even personal service by maintaining a firearm to administer swift justice when seconds count and the police are only minutes away. It just isn't likely. And to the person who says the self defense issues happen the time, I challenge that. It happens much more infrequently than you think and not every single news outlet is biased against guns. There are some self defense stories, for sure, but not many.
I guess in a nutshell...
Keep your guns for hunting and to thwart off bears and wolves in the wild but stop fooling yourself into thinking that you will be a hero when the gunman has the tactical advantage of surprise, audacity, and preparedness AND has a psychological pre-disposition to pull the trigger and feel no remorse.
opcorn:
